Here's a concept: Truth
George Washington once said, “I cannot tell a lie” (apparently). The thing is he probably never told the truth either…
Let me explain…
Objectivity is an idea that is difficult to explain to a subjective culture. The Arabs have for quite awhile now been incapable of seeing things from any one else’s point of view. Case in point: Israel.
What is Israel? Well, depends on who you ask. Some will say it’s an evil American satellite placed in the midst of the Arabs to safeguard the US interest in the region. Others will say it’s the last and only hope for the Jewish people who have suffered since the time of Moses and can only now return to their homes.
Which one is the truth? Well, they both are, aren’t they really?
Now, I have tremendous respect for the willpower displayed by the Israeli government to survive. They’ve made some truly difficult decisions that have been very controversial but have in effect insured their continued existence. I don’t agree with a lot of it, but does that matter? I mean, it’s just my opinion right?
Now, I find it difficult to shirk away from the truth. I mean, the above paragraph is near enough to get me labeled as a spy and hung, drawn and quartered in some circles but is it untrue? Is it untrue that I have respect or is their deserving of respect an untruth?
The truth is that Israel exists. No matter how much noise anyone makes it’s not going away. And the truth is that the Jewish people are just that: People. And the truth is that in Islam there is nothing wrong with co-existing with people of the Jewish faith as long as they don’t “attack” the Muslims.
Why are these things truths? Well they aren’t really. Existence is temporal so therefore only temporally true. The definition of people is not an absolute truth therefore Jewish people isn’t either…It’s all very complicated…
So, what is this illusive truth thing? That’s just it. Truth is illusive. Nobody really knows what it is. It’s very humbling really. Almost humiliating. No one will ever know “the truth” It’s just too complicated. Our language isn’t robust enough (and no language is) to define it and since our thoughts are based upon symbols that we define in language we will never be able to tell the “truth”…..
So what is truth? I think truth is not a definition, it is the search for that definition. It is a process, one that constantly delivers something truer than the step before. Because of this dynamic, no truth is ever true it is merely closer to being true.
So what am I saying? You may think you know, but you don’t really. Tomorrow your thoughts and beliefs might change and it’s this conscious realization that should grant you the humility to be skeptical and to accept that alternative truths (the paths to a truer truth) might exist
The truth will set you free.
Apparently.
Let me explain…
Objectivity is an idea that is difficult to explain to a subjective culture. The Arabs have for quite awhile now been incapable of seeing things from any one else’s point of view. Case in point: Israel.
What is Israel? Well, depends on who you ask. Some will say it’s an evil American satellite placed in the midst of the Arabs to safeguard the US interest in the region. Others will say it’s the last and only hope for the Jewish people who have suffered since the time of Moses and can only now return to their homes.
Which one is the truth? Well, they both are, aren’t they really?
Now, I have tremendous respect for the willpower displayed by the Israeli government to survive. They’ve made some truly difficult decisions that have been very controversial but have in effect insured their continued existence. I don’t agree with a lot of it, but does that matter? I mean, it’s just my opinion right?
Now, I find it difficult to shirk away from the truth. I mean, the above paragraph is near enough to get me labeled as a spy and hung, drawn and quartered in some circles but is it untrue? Is it untrue that I have respect or is their deserving of respect an untruth?
The truth is that Israel exists. No matter how much noise anyone makes it’s not going away. And the truth is that the Jewish people are just that: People. And the truth is that in Islam there is nothing wrong with co-existing with people of the Jewish faith as long as they don’t “attack” the Muslims.
Why are these things truths? Well they aren’t really. Existence is temporal so therefore only temporally true. The definition of people is not an absolute truth therefore Jewish people isn’t either…It’s all very complicated…
So, what is this illusive truth thing? That’s just it. Truth is illusive. Nobody really knows what it is. It’s very humbling really. Almost humiliating. No one will ever know “the truth” It’s just too complicated. Our language isn’t robust enough (and no language is) to define it and since our thoughts are based upon symbols that we define in language we will never be able to tell the “truth”…..
So what is truth? I think truth is not a definition, it is the search for that definition. It is a process, one that constantly delivers something truer than the step before. Because of this dynamic, no truth is ever true it is merely closer to being true.
So what am I saying? You may think you know, but you don’t really. Tomorrow your thoughts and beliefs might change and it’s this conscious realization that should grant you the humility to be skeptical and to accept that alternative truths (the paths to a truer truth) might exist
The truth will set you free.
Apparently.
posted by The Devil's Advocate at 12:56 AM
4 Comments:
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The truth will set you free.
I think thats one of the most profound phrases ever said... which truth will set you free? The Truth (capital T)? your truth? my truth? the truth seen by the authority?
And if its going to set you free - how much freedom will it give you? and for how long? .. there is soo much to ask, so little to answer.
Back in uni, my philosophy professor hated me towards the end of the semester. I've always taken the class' time discussing/debating the concept of "Truth" :)
I completely agree with you. I live my life it. The truth will indeed set us all free.
If people could just understand the concept of truth, we wouldn't actually need to find it. We'd just understand that the pursuit of it is a good thing and everything would be better.
Humans are simple. They seek comfort from many places out of weakness and insecurity hence the Nazi party and Islamic extremist bastards.
Eid mubarak.
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